- 4-month deadline for an imminent solution

During today’s convention, the Cabinet has decided to appoint a Coordination body to arrange the problem concerning Russian visas, since Russia is Cyprus’ third largest tourist market, with the annual number of Russian tourists reaching 140 thousand and revenues exceeding 100 thousand pounds.

According to government spokesman, Michalis Papapetrou, the Coordination body – to be supervised by the Ministries of Tourism, External Affairs, Finance and Public Order – has been given the deadline of four months to come up with a solution.

Specifically, the body is assigned to come up with a solution for the problems that will possibly arise ahead of Cyprus accession in the EU and the Sengen system, so that Russian tourist arrivals in Cyprus cannot be affected by the developments.

Besides, the Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, Nikos Rolandes, on his trip to Moscow had stated that government’s main aim is the obtaining of visas within 24 hours for the citizens of Moscow and 72 hours for the citizens of other Russian territories.